Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEVO) has completed production of its cellulosic renewable jet fuel that is indicated for commercial flights. The company adapted its patented technologies to change wood waste derived cellulosic sugars into renewable isobutanol. This product was further converted into company’s Alcohol-to-Jet fuel.
This ATJ fulfills the ASTM D7566 specification enabling it to be utilized for commercial flights. The reconsiderations to the ASTM D7566 requirement, which happened earlier this year, includes Alcohol-to-Jet fuel derived from renewable isobutanol, irrespective of the carbohydrate feedstock.
The highlights
Gevo produced more than 1,000 gallons of its cellulosic ATJ. As per the recent update, Alaska Airlines is anticipated to fly the commercial flight utilizing this cellulosic jet fuel in the coming months. The company believes that this flight would be the first commercial flight flown using a cellulosic jet fuel. This comes on the back of the 2 commercial flights flown by Alaska Airlines on company’s ATJ in June 2016. The ATJ for these flights was obtained from isobutanol produced at company’s Luverne, MN, facility utilizing sustainable corn for the sugar feedstock.
Gevo stated that the cellulosic ATJ was manufactured in conjunction with the NARA. The entity supplied the sugars derived from forest leftovers in the Pacific Northwest. Gevo manufactured the cellulosic isobutanol at its St. Joseph demonstration facility, that it jointly runs with ICM Inc.
Dr. Patrick Gruber, the CEO of Gevo, said that the company’s production of cellulosic ATJ eliminates all uncertainty that cellulosic sugars can be converted into isobutanol using company’s technology. ATJ technology further converts isobutanol into jet fuel, irrespective of the sugar source. The company is looking forward to using this fuel power in an Alaska Airlines flight in the coming period. Dr. Gruber said that he wants to congratulate Gevo team, all the NARA members, and the groups that funded the work.
Sir Richard Branson said that he has long supported the advancement of commercial jet fuel manufactured from renewable sources. This development was planned at the time when the Virgin Green Fund invested in company with the intent of advancing fuel from cellulosic materials like wood waste.
